From: BABULA CLEMENT
To: Melanie Reinhart
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 9:56 PM
Subject: Re: Queenslanders Need a Lifeline
Thanks so much Melanie. I thought the Lifeline cause was such a good one, I had to pass it on to everyone. What a mess this town is in ..... but the spirit is good and everyone has come together so well.... its all about connection. Can't help but feel it's sign of more things to come ... all around the world. We are learning how to organise for big destructive events. I think we all need to have emergency kits and supplies in our homes.Much love,
Babula
----- Original Message -----
From: Melanie Reinhart
To: BABULA CLEMENT
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2011 7:36 AM
Subject: Re: Queenslanders Need a Lifeline
Dear Babula,Thank you so much for the news. I was worrying about you!
I will donate. Thanks also for the information - VERY good to have on file.
Sending you and yours much love,
Melanie
----- Original Message -----
From: BABULA CLEMENT
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 9:08 PM
Subject: Queenslanders Need a Lifeline
Dear FriendsFirstly, thanks for all the enquiries I've had about whether I'm ok. Yes, my house is out of the flood path and me and all my family members in SE Qld are all safe and dry. I hope all of you are safe and that you haven't suffered any damage to your home or business. If you have, please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. I live at the base of Mt Cootha and from my office window I've been seeing .. and hearing ... the helicopters flying over head all day since the rains stopped. A constant reminder of what's happening. The Red Cross has a great booklet that explains in lots of detail how to go about cleaning up after flood. If you know anyone who may find this useful, please pass it on. And I'd suggest you all save it on your computer as it could come in handy in the future.... even for storm damage, which can happen at any time.
http://www.redcross.org.au/media/Cleaning_up_after_flooding_booklet(1).pdf
(takes a while to load)
I'm so impressed with the way our State and City are being organised ... it's so heart-warming and makes me proud to be an Aussie and a Queenslander. I was born and grew up in Brisbane in the western suburbs and feel so connected to everything that's happening. I have always felt so blessed and lucky to have been born and live in this amazing country of ours and it's really hit home to me even more now. But of course ultimately it's about being a Human Being and we humans are going to find that Life/Mother Nature is going to give us many opportunities in the coming years to wake up, open our hearts and dissolve so many of the barriers that keep us separate from each other and from our true nature .. and from the Earth, our Mother. She is demanding our attention all over the world. She is speaking loud and clear and will continue to do do and Her message is 'Enough is Enough!' This morning I received an email from that great online organisation, Getup, and I was moved to pass it on. They point to a very real issue at these times and are asking for donations to go to Lifeline to assist with the need to support people emotionally and mentally. They are want to train new counsellors in 'emotional first aide' asap and need immediate funds:
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"Possessions, memories, hopes and, most tragically, lives continue to be swept away in the floodwaters of Queensland and northern New South Wales. Today, tens of thousands of Queenslanders will return to their devastated homes to learn they've lost everything.
The Queensland Flood Appeal has raised over $54 million so far - a testament to Australian generosity. But while emergency responders look to the immediate physical needs of flood victims, there is also a heavy emotional toll.
Since the floods began, our team has been in contact with major emergency responders and service providers, and they've told us there's an important gap that GetUp members can fill. Experts agree that depression, post-traumatic stress, and even suicide dramatically increase after natural disasters. [Ref below] In Queensland a rapid increase in mental health services is needed to cope with the despair many are experiencing upon returning to their flooded homes. Right now, Lifeline is bringing on extra staff - not just to handle the huge increase in crisis calls, but to offer face-to-face counselling to flood victims on the ground, many of whom are without phone service.
Lifeline needs urgent funds to provide these essential counselling services.Click below to make a tax deductible donation to Lifeline's Community Recovery Project:
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/Lifeline
Lifeline's Community Recovery Project is providing immediate relief to those suffering the trauma and stress of recent days, and will support individuals and families as they rebuild their lives in the weeks and months to come. One of their key services is financial counselling - developing a plan for financial recovery can make an enormous difference to a flood victims.
Lifeline's immediate goal is to get 50 to 100 new counsellors trained in 'psychological first aid' and into the field over the next 1 to 2 weeks.
So far, they've raised $34,000 to fund increasing services since this crisis began, but as part of a movement of 430,000 Australians ready to respond, together we can help them raise enough to reach out to thousands more Australians impacted by the floods.Click below to donate:
http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/Lifeline
Through these times of heartbreak and human need, flood ravaged communities will need all the help and support they can get. We are developing other ways that members can help those in need by harnessing technology and GetUp's huge community - stay tuned in the coming days.
For now, helping Lifeline provide a hand to hold, a shoulder to lean on and a comforting voice is the small miracle we can provide for individuals and families struggling through a flood of despair.
Thank you for caring,
The GetUp Team
PS - If you or someone you know is experiencing an emotional crisis, in connection with the floods or otherwise, you can call Lifeline's 24 hour hotline on 13 11 14. (Australia only)
1The Impact of Natural Disasters on Mental Health, http://www.psychology.org.au/inpsych/impact_disasters/, Professor Richard Bryant FAPS School of Psychology, University of New South Wales April 2009
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Love and Blessings to you all
Babula
Babula Clement
Astrologer
07 3378 9649
babulamoon@bigpond.com
www.facebook.com/babula.clement
www.newdawnastrology.com.au